A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS BASED ON SEVERITY

  Objective: The objective of the study was to determine health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to measure differences in HRQOL according to gender and severity of COPD.Methods: An observational study was conducted over a period of 9 months. A total of 100 COPD patient's data were collected regarding patients age, gender, smoking status, and clinical characteristics using an SF-12 health survey questionnaire.Results: The total study population of 100 patients, 78% were men and 22% of women with a mean age of 65.4±13.2 years. The spirometry measurements, the mean forced expiratory volume 1 (FEV1) value was 57.2±10.4. HRQOL correlated significantly with FEV1 values (p=0.9760, p<0.0001). The severity of the disease was mild in 22%, moderate in 41%, severe in 24%, and very severe in 13% of patients. HRQOL was compared between men and women; the mean mental component summary scores were significantly higher in women (65.6±10.7) than in men (59.2±11.6). An inverse significant correlation between HRQOL and degree of dyspnea was observed (p=−0.9218, p<0.0001).Conclusion: The mental health status is essentially higher in women when contrasted with men. HRQOL is impaired, and moreover, it progressively worsens with increasing severity of the disease. This study shows that patients with higher smoking index are having more likelihood of developing the COPD disease and dyspnea has a great impact on HRQOL of patients. Evaluation of COPD patients should not be based only on pulmonary function tests but also by considering and estimating the patient's HRQOL.Â

RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HYSTERECTOMIZED PATIENTS

ABSTRACTObjective: The study was carried out to determine the age pattern, indications, risk factors, co-morbid conditions, type of surgery, and the associatedcomplications of hysterectomized patients.Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was done over a period of 8-month. A total of 150 hysterectomies were documented.Results: All data collected were analyzed and in this 111 hysterectomies (74%) were done by vaginal route and 39 (26%) done abdominally. In which,50.60% hysterectomized patients were in the age group 40-50 years and 32% patients were in 50-60 years. Out 111 vaginal hysterectomy (VH), 79 arelaparoscopic-assisted VH. Fibroid (33.33%) and dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) (17%) were the most common indication. Complications wereinjuries to the bladder in 5 patients, 4 wound sepsis, 2 chronic cervicitis, 1 menopausal symptoms, 1 thrombocytosis, bilateral mild hydronephrosisin 1,and right ovarian cyst in 1 patient. This study also recorded the common co-morbid medical conditions in women undergoing hysterectomies includediabetes mellitus, 30.66%; hypertension, 23.33%; hypothyroid, 19.33%; dyslipidemia, 12%.Conclusion: The present study shows that the most common method performed is VH. Fibroid and DUB are very common indications for undergoinghysterectomy; of these, most of the hysterectomized patients were in the age group of 40-50 years. Laparoscopic hysterectomy may be an alternativeto abdominal hysterectomy for those patients in whom a VH is not indicated. All women should be carefully evaluated before surgery, and its route isdecided.Keywords: Hysterectomy, Fibroid, Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, Complications

Trends in the yields of major exploited fisheries of The east coast of India

On the east coast of India, the elasmobrancbs, cat fishes, 'other sardines', anchovies and white baits, 'other clupeids', sciaenids, ribbon fish, silverbelHes and penr.cid prawns form the major fisher'es and contribute about 63% of the total mar'ne fish catch of the coast. The trends in the yields of these fisheries of this coast during the 21-year period from 1932 to 1972 have been analysed. A study of th'i fluctuations in the trends in the yields assumes greater importance as no up-to-date information is available at present about the nature of trends of major exploited fisher'es of the east coast of India especially in view of the diversification of fishing on this coast. The study reveals that in West Bengal and Orissa, elasmobrancbs, cat fishes, anchovies and white baits, other clupeids. sciaenids, ribbon fish and silverbeHies form a good fishery and it is predcted that ^ese fisheries will continue to yield good catches in future also. In Andhra the fisheries ctf other sardines, other clupeids, sciaenids, ribbon fish and penaeid prawns are successful and they w'll maintain the present increasing trend in their landings in the coming years also. In Tamil Nadu, it is seen that only cat fishes, other sardines, anchovies and white baits and sciaenids form very good fishery and they will yield higher catches also in the future years

POST STROKE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY: PREVALANCE AND CORRELATES

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in post-stroke patients and identify its predictors. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted for a period of 6 months among 81 patients admitted with stroke in SSIMS and RC, Davangere. The information compiled from patient data collection form was assessed for comorbid conditions and type of stroke. Assessment for depression and anxiety was conducted using Hamilton D (HAM-D) and HAM-A scale and information of location of lesion was obtained from patient’s neuroimaging results. Quality of life (QOL) of post-stroke was assessed using stroke and aphasia QOL (SAQOL) questionnaire. Follow-up was conducted for patients who were diagnosed with depression and anxiety within 1 to 3 months. Results: Depression was more prevalent as compared to anxiety in post-stroke patients and was predominant in males and between the ages 61 and 70 years. Hypertension and diabetes were found to be a major comorbid conditions in such patients. Factors contributing to increased risk of depression and anxiety after stroke include age, sex, comorbidities, lesion location, and type of stroke. Post-stroke depression (PSD) and anxiety showed statistically significant association with left-sided lesion. Conclusion: PSD and anxiety are a relatively common complications and can result in poor QOL in stroke patients. Early detection of depression and anxiety symptoms may assist functional recovery and improve QOL in stroke patients. Careful evaluation of PSD and post-stroke anxiety should be integrated into clinical care of stroke patients

Gaucher disease: A cause of massive splenomegaly in a 15-year-old black African male

Patients with Gaucher disease (GD), a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease, commonly present to paediatricians with massive splenomegaly. While the diagnosis and management of patients with this chronic multisystem disorder has evolved significantly in recent years, the initial diagnosis represents a challenge. We describe the case of a 15-year-old black African male who presented with abdominal distension, delayed growth and fatigue. Initial laboratory studies revealed severe anaemia (haemoglobin concentration 8 g/dL) and moderate thrombocytopenia (platelet count 80 × 109/L). A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed an enlarged liver of 173 mm and massive splenomegaly of 27 mm. The diagnosis of GD was confirmed by reduced beta-glucocerebrosidase activity and heterozygous mutations in the GBA1 gene. The patient was managed at a dedicated paediatric haematology unit with enzyme replacement therapy and regular clinical, biochemical and radiological monitoring

Mogul in a Baby

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Astrophysical S_{17}(0) factor from a measurement of d(7Be,8B)n reaction at E_{c.m.} = 4.5 MeV

Angular distribution measurements of $^2$H($^7$Be,$^7$Be)$^2$H and $^2$H($^7$Be,$^8$B)$n$ reactions at $E_{c.m.}\sim$~4.5 MeV were performed to extract the astrophysical $S_{17}(0)$ factor using the asymptotic normalization coefficient (ANC) method. For this purpose a pure, low emittance $^7$Be beam was separated from the primary $^7$Li beam by a recoil mass spectrometer operated in a novel mode. A beam stopper at 0$^{\circ}$ allowed the use of a higher $^7$Be beam intensity. Measurement of the elastic scattering in the entrance channel using kinematic coincidence, facilitated the determination of the optical model parameters needed for the analysis of the transfer data. The present measurement significantly reduces errors in the extracted $^7$Be(p,$\gamma$) cross section using the ANC method. We get $S_{17}$~(0)~=~20.7~$\pm$~2.4 eV~b.Comment: 15 pages including 3 eps figures, one figure removed and discussions updated. Version to appear in Physical Review